Iowa Senate OKs Bill to Address Human Trafficking

The Iowa Senate has unanimously approved a measure that would crack down on human trafficking involving minors.

In a 48-0 vote Thursday, the Senate approved the bill. It returns to the House, which passed similar legislation earlier this week.

The bill would toughen penalties for those who sexually exploit minors and requires the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy to include data about raining, staffing and investigative efforts dealing with human trafficking in an annual report. It also establishes a fund for programs that provide services and support to human trafficking victims.

Democratic Sen. Robert Dvorsky, who sponsored the bill, says human trafficking is becoming a more serious problem across the country, and his bill is an effort to strengthen laws in Iowa.